Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Free Agent Defensive Linemen Options
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into free agency, they have just four defensive linemen on the team that were on the active roster last season. Vita Vea remains one of the best nose tackles in football and first-round pick Caliajh Kancey seems to be the real deal next to him. Logan Hall took a big step forward and the Bucs have liked what they've seen out of Mike Greene as well.
However, behind those four are a ton of question marks. The team re-signed former XFL and practice squad player C.J. Brewer to a futures contract and also signed Eric Banks and CFL star Lwal Uguak to the offseason 90-man roster. Though none of those players are proven depth. The Bucs could re-sign some of their own free agents. such as Greg Gaines or Pat O'Connor. While it appears William Gholston likely won't be back with the team.
The Bucs could always turn to the draft as well, although this year's group of defensive linemen isn't particularly deep, and with three young linemen on the roster already, they may want to bring in someone with veteran experience to round out the group.
Quinton Jefferson
Jefferson has bounced around teams over the last four years but the 30-year-old defensive lineman has still been productive with 19 sacks, including six in 14 games with the Jets last season. He racked up 34 tackles, four for loss, and a fumble and recovery in 14 starts last year with New York before a hip injury ended his season early.
Jefferson could be a strong part of a rotation for the Bucs. He finished last season with 29 total pressures including 16 hurries and five hits. The former fifth-round pick has averaged 38 pressures a season over his career and would give the defensive line quality veteran depth. He is projected to sign a one-year deal for around $3.5 million.
Shelby Harris
Like Jefferson, Harris has been on three different teams the past three seasons after five years in Denver. Adept at playing both the run and pass, Shelby proved there's still some juice in the 32-year-old last season with 21 pressures and a 75.6 pressure grade per Pro Football Focus. He only notched 1.5 sacks but had six tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and knocked down five passes at the line of scrimmage in seven starts.
Harris would give the Bucs some size at 6'3, 300 pounds, and would likely be more efficient in a rotational role at this point of his career. He is projected to come in at a fairly cheap deal at around $3 million.
Javon Kinlaw
If the Bucs wanted to bring in youth at the position they could give the former first-rounder a shot. Kinlaw struggled to live up to expectations after being selected one pick behind All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs in 2020. In 22 starts before the 2023 season, he tallied just 1.5 sacks and 29 pressures. However, he turned things around last year producing 31 pressures and 3.5 sacks.
Kinlaw could make sense as a situational pass rusher for the Bucs as he still struggles in run defense. He still possesses the freakish athleticism that made him a first-round pick but could use some technique refinement, After getting his fifth-year option declined he is projected to receive a one-year deal for roughly $5.5 million.
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